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Freelance Digital Matte Painter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MATTE PROJECTS

Junior Graphic Designer

New York, NY · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

MATTE is a 360° full-service creative studio at the convergence of hype, storytelling and design ... You'll support the creation of thoughtful, well-crafted design work across digital, experiential ...

Magnopus

AI Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

A background in compositing, digital matte painting, LookDev, animation or another relevant production art discipline. * Experience delivering visual assets within feature film, VFX, AAA game, or ...

MATTE PROJECTS

Junior Graphic Designer

New York, NY · Hybrid

$65K - $75K/yr

MATTE is a 360 full-service creative studio at the convergence of hype, storytelling and design. We ... You'll support the creation of thoughtful, well-crafted design work across digital, experiential ...

Magnopus

AI Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

A background in compositing, digital matte painting, LookDev, animation or another relevant production art discipline. * Experience delivering visual assets within feature film, VFX, AAA game, or ...

TheLab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$150K/yr

Paint & cleanup * Matte extraction * Color grading * Digital photography principles * Render pass integration Color Management * ACES * OCIO * Linear workflow * HDR imaging Emerging Technologies * AI ...

TheLab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Paint & cleanup * Matte extraction * Color grading * Digital photography principles * Render pass integration Color Management * ACES * OCIO * Linear workflow * HDR imaging Emerging Technologies * AI ...

thelab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY

Paint & cleanup * Matte extraction * Color grading * Digital photography principles * Render pass integration Color Management * ACES * OCIO * Linear workflow * HDR imaging Emerging Technologies * AI ...

Company3

Restoration Technician

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

The Restoration Technician will perform digital image restoration on scanned film and digital ... matte painting, compositing, dailies and production services, color grading, post-production ...

Company3

Vault Technician

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

... and digital media assets (ie. Invoice, order, equipment specs). They will be calm and personable ... matte painting, compositing, dailies and production services, color grading, post-production ...

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Freelance Digital Matte Painter information

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How much do freelance digital matte painter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance digital matte painter in the United States is $20.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $23.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance digital matte painter?

A Freelance Digital Matte Painter is a visual effects artist who creates realistic background environments and landscapes for films, TV shows, video games, and commercials. They use digital painting techniques and software such as Adobe Photoshop, Nuke, and Maya to seamlessly integrate these backgrounds with live-action footage or CGI. Working on a freelance basis means they are self-employed and take on projects from various clients, rather than being employed by a single studio. Their work is essential for creating scenes that would be too expensive or impossible to film in real life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance digital matte painter?

To thrive as a Freelance Digital Matte Painter, you need strong artistic ability, a deep understanding of perspective and lighting, and a solid portfolio demonstrating your work. Mastery of digital painting tools like Adobe Photoshop, and familiarity with 3D software such as Maya or Blender, are often required, along with knowledge of industry-standard workflows. Strong communication, time management, and the ability to adapt to client feedback help set you apart in a competitive freelance environment. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing visually compelling environments that meet client specifications and project deadlines.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance digital matte painters when working with remote teams on film or gaming projects?

Freelance digital matte painters often collaborate with remote art directors, visual effects supervisors, and other artists across different time zones, which can make communication and feedback cycles more complex. Meeting tight deadlines while ensuring the artwork aligns with the project's creative vision can be challenging, especially without in-person interactions. Additionally, freelancers are responsible for managing their own schedules, delivering high-quality files in the required formats, and staying updated with evolving digital tools and techniques to remain competitive in the industry.

What is the difference between Freelance Digital Matte Painter vs Freelance Concept Artist?

AspectFreelance Digital Matte PainterFreelance Concept Artist
Primary FocusCreating realistic backgrounds and environments for films, games, and commercialsDesigning visual ideas and concepts for characters, scenes, and products
Skills & ToolsPhoto manipulation, 3D integration, Photoshop, compositingSketching, digital painting, Photoshop, creative ideation
Work EnvironmentFilm studios, VFX companies, freelance projectsGame studios, advertising agencies, freelance projects
Industry UsageCommonly hired for visual effects and environment creationHired for concept development and pre-visualization

While both roles involve digital art and creative visualization, Freelance Digital Matte Painters specialize in creating realistic backgrounds for visual media, whereas Freelance Concept Artists focus on designing initial ideas and concepts for characters and scenes. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right professional for their project needs.

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Freelance Digital Matte Painter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Digital Matte Painter job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,853 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Junior Graphic Designer

MATTE PROJECTS

New York, NY • On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 3 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Who are we?
MATTE is a 360° full-service creative studio at the convergence of hype, storytelling and design. We bring people together to inspire new ways of engaging, to provoke long term progress, and to entertain audiences around the world, while helping forward-thinking brands and institutions nimbly and truly do the same. Our studio capabilities range from strategic ideation and insights, creative development, branding and identity, experiential, web design and development, campaigns and content creation, all the way through full-scale production and execution.
About this role:
We're seeking a Junior Designer to join our multidisciplinary creative team. This role is ideal for an early-career designer (typically 1-2 years of professional experience or equivalent internships/freelance work) who is eager to learn, grow, and build their craft within a fast-paced, collaborative studio environment.
You'll support the creation of thoughtful, well-crafted design work across digital, experiential, brand, and content platforms. Working closely with senior designers and creative leadership, you'll help bring ideas to life through strong design fundamentals, attention to detail, and a curiosity for how great creative is made.
Reporting to the Design Director, the Junior Designer will assist across the design process-from concept development through execution-while learning studio workflows, brand systems, and production best practices.
Design Execution & Craft
  • Support the execution of creative across digital, print, experiential, and motion platforms under the direction of senior designers and design leadership.
  • Assist in developing visual concepts for branded content, campaigns, and experiences, from early layouts through final deliverables.
  • Translate creative direction and feedback into clean, thoughtful design work that aligns with brand systems and client goals.
  • Apply foundational skills in typography, layout, color, and composition to ensure consistency and quality across deliverables.
  • Prepare production-ready files and assets with attention to detail and organization.
Collaboration & Team Support
  • Collaborate with Design Directors, Creative Directors, strategists, copywriters, and producers to support creative ideas from concept to completion.
  • Assist with new business efforts by helping build pitch decks, mockups, and visual storytelling materials.
  • Work across multiple projects and clients while learning how to manage timelines, priorities, and feedback with support from project managers and producers.
    Participate in brainstorms, creative reviews, and team check-ins-contributing ideas, references, and design inspiration.
  • Design and format presentations and decks in alignment with MATTE and client brand guidelines.
  • Organize, prepare, and archive design files according to studio best practices.

Qualifications and Requirements:
  • 1-2 years of professional design experience in an agency, studio, or brand environment.
  • A portfolio demonstrating strong design fundamentals, range, and thoughtful execution across digital, print, and experiential work.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Figma; motion or 3D experience is a plus but not required.
  • Solid understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy, with a sharp eye for detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with guidance, while maintaining a high standard of craft.
  • Clear, professional communication skills and comfort discussing design work in internal reviews and collaborative settings.
  • Ability to take feedback, iterate quickly, and contribute thoughtfully to a collaborative creative process.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
  • Curiosity and a willingness to experiment, learn new tools, and push beyond familiar design solutions.
  • This role requires 4x days per week in office (Monday-Thursday), remote work day on Fridays.

Salary: $65,000-$75,000/year
Benefits include:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
  • 401k with a 4% company contribution max match
  • Fully covered yearly Citibike membership wellness perk
  • Talkspace membership wellness perk
  • Competitive PTO package
  • End of Year Recharge paid time off
  • Sabbatical Program option after three years of employment with us
  • Parental Leave for all new parents

Everyone is welcome at MATTE - we're passionate about building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and creating an environment where our differences are celebrated. MATTE provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, MATTE will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

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